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Economic Volatility Pushes ARM Index Down from Historic High

December 15, 2005: BETHESDA, MD - In one of the most volatile months in 6-year history of the Kaulkin Ginsberg Index (KGI), the leading indicator of economic conditions affecting the accounts receivable management (ARM) industry fell 3.7% to 1250.7. The KGI is down 4% from its June 2005 high of 1303.1 but remains up 4.8% year over year.

A number of macroeconomic factors placed downward pressure on the Index. The total market capitalization of publicly traded ARM stocks fell from $3.4 to $3.0 billion. The number of bankruptcy filings increased from 497,000 in the second quarter of 2005 to 542,000 in the third quarter of 2005 -- the highest number ever recorded for bankruptcy filings by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. In addition, outstanding consumer credit decreased by $7.2 billion during October, the steepest decline ever reported by the Federal Reserve.

"Had the KGI been comprised of only six economic factors, this would have been its worst month ever," said Paul Legrady, Director of Kaulkin Ginsberg's Research Group. "However, increases in the charge-off rate held the Index up during an otherwise challenging economic period for the industry."

Given the amount of debt available to purchase or collect, increases in chargeoff rates cause the KGI to increase as well. More specifically, the KGI's seven macroeconomic variables affected the Index as follows:

Variable
October 2005*
Variable
Change*
Effect on KGI*
Unemployment Rate
5.0%
0%
-
Federal Funds Rate
3.78%
4.4%
Up
Charge-off Rate
0.59%
20.4%
Up
Outstanding Consumer Credit
$2.156T
-0.2%
Down
Total Market Cap of ARM Stocks
$3.0B
-10.3%
Down
Bankruptcy Filings
542,002
-35.1%
Down
Consumer Price Index
199.2
0.2%
Up
* See "How is the KGI Calculated," www.kaulkin.com/research/kgi/calculate.cfm

The KGI is a product of Kaulkin Ginsberg's Research Group, which provides industry-specific publications and custom research services to the ARM industry. For more information about the Kaulkin Ginsberg Index, see www.kaulkin.com/research/kgi.cfm or call Paul Legrady, Director of Kaulkin Ginsberg's Research Group, at 301-907-0840 ext. 104.

About Kaulkin Ginsberg Company
Since 1989, Kaulkin Ginsberg has provided solutions to accounts receivable management and related business services companies. The Strategic Advisory Group provides merger, acquisition and valuation advice; operational consulting; and executive search services. The Research Group produces industry-specific publications and custom research products. The Kaulkin Ginsberg family of companies also includes Kaulkin Media, publisher of the most popular sources of industry information such as CollectionIndustry.com™ and Credit & Collection Daily™ and Kaulkin Information Systems, provider of secure and affordable document and process management technology. Read more about Kaulkin Ginsberg at www.kaulkin.com.